Some mechanics must think people are stupid!

[GTENVY]

Well, I have never had this prob before but there is always the first time. Purchased a car to be used as a shopping trolley late last year and took it to a reputable suspension business to get it checked out as I felt there were some items that needed attention. Turns out that the I was correct and I was glad I negotiated the price down because of the items i suspected. Needed need front shocks, need pads front and rear, discs front and rear needed machining badly and some bushes needed replacing.
Well I recently took the said vehicle to another 'reputable' business to get the 200k km service done, they come back to me with a list of things wrong with the car, 'inlcuding' front shocks worn WTF!!!
So I go home thinking that's not right, I am sure I had them replaced etc etc. Went through the filing cabinet, found the invoice and sure enough I have paid for new shocks already. So I got the torch out (was at night obviously) and had a look at the front end and they are brand new front shocks.
I am thinking what the hell are they trying to pull??
Anyone else had this type of experience??
I am seriously considering calling them and discussing it with them. Unbelievable.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by GTENVY

I am seriously considering calling them and discussing it with them. Unbelievable.

It would be worth it purely for the awkward silence that would inevitably follow.......

[DJR-351]

In response to the thread title that is exactly what "some" of them bank on...

The trick though is for them to show true remorse when they have been caught out so they don’t lose your buisiness...

[anto]

even though you had them replaced they could still be shot.
When I had my XR8 lowered with new shocks, a few weeks later I found the right rear to be faulty. I had to get a Pedders diagnostic chart done to prove it before the original mob would replace it....but yeah it is possible.

i guess if it doesnt feel "wrong" to you like it did for me, youre probably ok.

[Scott]

Local but very large Ford Dealer tried to convince me he had taken the valves out of my GT without taking the head off. When I challenged him he said "you don't need to on these".

I told him not to touch my car again and had it collected by truck that day...

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

It would be worth it purely for the awkward silence that would inevitably follow.......

Originally Posted by anto

even though you had them replaced they could still be shot.
When I had my XR8 lowered with new shocks, a few weeks later I found the right rear to be faulty. I had to get a Pedders diagnostic chart done to prove it before the original mob would replace it....but yeah it is possible.

i guess if it doesnt feel "wrong" to you like it did for me, youre probably ok.

The shocks dont feel worn - before I got them replaced the front end felt like a boat. Its not as nice as the Sprint but that is fitted with Pedders Sports Ryder. Maybe I should ring the suspension business and get them tested just in case??

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

In response to the thread title that is exactly what "some" of them bank on...

The trick though is for them to show true remorse when they have been caught out so they don’t lose your buisiness...

If I find out that the shocks are fine - which I will, then no amount of remorse will keep my business. I think I might even take it further to be honest. Not that I am out of pocket or anything but if this is happening how many other people out there are being ripped??

[Landau Stable]

You can do a basic test on the shocks yourself. It's the same as what they do anyway. Stand on each corner of the car and bounce it down with all your weight. The car should bounce back up above normal height and then drop back down to normal. If it keeps bouncing up and down for more than that, then you are having issues. Maybe your rears are gone and they mistakenly wrote front? Just test it yourself first to be sure.

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by Landau Stable

You can do a basic test on the shocks yourself. It's the same as what they do anyway. Stand on each corner of the car and bounce it down with all your weight. The car should bounce back up above normal height and then drop back down to normal. If it keeps bouncing up and down for more than that, then you are having issues. Maybe your rears are gone and they mistakenly wrote front? Just test it yourself first to be sure.

Well if that the case, they are fine. They actually said both front and rear are shot. I have done this same test with the rears and they are also fine, as the suspension business also suggested in Dec last year.

[Landau Stable]

Well in that case, feel free to tear 'em a new one. Could be quite amusing hearing them justify themselves. I wonder if the apprentice will get blamed?

[GTENVY]

Just out of interest, I have added a poll. I have not mentioned names and I certainly am not suggesting people name and shame but I think it would be interesting to see if many other people have experienced something similar.

Let the polling begin lol.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by GTENVY

Well, I have never had this prob before but there is always the first time. Purchased a car to be used as a shopping trolley late last year and took it to a reputable suspension business to get it checked out as I felt there were some items that needed attention. Turns out that the I was correct and I was glad I negotiated the price down because of the items i suspected. Needed need front shocks, need pads front and rear, discs front and rear needed machining badly and some bushes needed replacing.
Well I recently took the said vehicle to another 'reputable' business to get the 200k km service done, they come back to me with a list of things wrong with the car, 'inlcuding' front shocks worn WTF!!!
So I go home thinking that's not right, I am sure I had them replaced etc etc. Went through the filing cabinet, found the invoice and sure enough I have paid for new shocks already. So I got the torch out (was at night obviously) and had a look at the front end and they are brand new front shocks.
I am thinking what the hell are they trying to pull??
Anyone else had this type of experience??
I am seriously considering calling them and discussing it with them. Unbelievable.

Before you go bezerk and potentially set yourself up for the dump, go and get the Pedders "free suspension check".

Your "new" shockies may be faulty or just plain rubbish, assumption is the mother of all fu........

[shedcoupe]

If it is a dodgy business ask for the advice in writing and then contact consumer affairs -
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/Consum...complaint.html
and help to prevent future rip-offs.
Evil flourishes when good men stand by and do nothing ...............

[Scott]

Originally Posted by flappist

Before you go bezerk and potentially set yourself up for the dump, go and get the Pedders "free suspension check".

Just be prepared for a quote and list of defects that closely resembles the yellow pages.

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by flappist

Before you go bezerk and potentially set yourself up for the dump, go and get the Pedders "free suspension check".

Your "new" shockies may be faulty or just plain rubbish, assumption is the mother of all fu........

Thats what I had done in December last year and why I got the new ones.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by GTENVY

Thats what I had done in December last year and why I got the new ones.

But have you had the "new" ones tested?

Just in case....

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by Scott

Just be prepared for a quote and list of defects that closely resembles the yellow pages.

LOL, the list was very short to be honest, I was expecting that but only had four items that required attention

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by flappist

But have you had the "new" ones tested?

Just in case....

Will be doing this - ringing the suspension place, oh bugger it - Pedders, and getting them to check them.

Originally Posted by shedcoupe

If it is a dodgy business ask for the advice in writing and then contact consumer affairs -
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/Consum...complaint.html
and help to prevent future rip-offs.
Evil flourishes when good men stand by and do nothing ...............

Thanks for the info

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by GTENVY

If I find out that the shocks are fine - which I will, then no amount of remorse will keep my business. I think I might even take it further to be honest. Not that I am out of pocket or anything but if this is happening how many other people out there are being ripped??

As a mechanic by trade, I love reading these threads

no like every perfession there are some not so great people in it, but most are trying to make an houst living. Ive fitted new shocks and had them US out of the packet whats to say your 12 months old ones arnt NBG? I would think he also looked under the car and well if the shocks looked new do you think he would try to pull a shifty? (I suspect not)

Just casue you seem to think they are OK doesnt mean they are? do YOU have any sort of mechanical training? again I suspect not other wise you probably would have doen the work your self.

I look forward to finding out what happens please keep us informed

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

As a mechanic by trade, I love reading these threads

no like every perfession there are some not so great people in it, but most are trying to make an houst living. Ive fitted new shocks and had them US out of the packet whats to say your 12 months old ones arnt NBG? I would think he also looked under the car and well if the shocks looked new do you think he would try to pull a shifty? (I suspect not)

Just casue you seem to think they are OK doesnt mean they are? do YOU have any sort of mechanical training? again I suspect not other wise you probably would have doen the work your self.

I look forward to finding out what happens please keep us informed

Definitely will put in the thread the result of the check and the if they are fine the result of the conversation with the mechanical business.
The reason I question the shocks being 'shot' as the mechanic put it, is that they were only fitted in Dec last year, four months old. I noticed a huge difference when they were fitted because the old ones were so badly worn.
Who knows maybe they are faulty, I'm sure if they are that Pedders will replace them.
And yes I do have some mechanical knowledge, I do not have anywhere to work on my cars atm because I am renting, and until I purchase my own property and get my own shed again I will have to continue to paid someone else to do the work unfortunately.

[anto]

Originally Posted by flappist

Before you go bezerk and potentially set yourself up for the dump, go and get the Pedders "free suspension check".

.

wise words
thats exactly what I did, though it cost me about 15 bucks or so back then.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by GTENVY

And yes I do have some mechanical knowledge,.

Define knowledge

I know guys with no formal training that can out spanner me any day of the week, and others who get their "knowlege" from reading KB's workshop in Street Machine and Ask Smithy in the weekend paper

from personal experance it tends to be the latter that $hi7 can the tradesmen

these are the guys that say I took my car to the mechanic and it ran worse when I got it back, but i got out my Kmart 37 peice tool kit and fixed the tune, now shes funning perfect and its sitting there ideling on 5 cylinders

You may be right and this guy might be trying to take you for a ride but I will defend most spanner ******* as decent hard working people

[MarkAW]

Generally a qualified tradie is better than a weekend spanner as he should be capable of correct diagnosis of a problem, not just disassemble and reassemble a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Yes I am a tradesman with quals in post trade diesel and a Mech Eng. but frankly I can't be bothered doing my own services. The local Ford dealer wanted almost $400 for a simple A service - I believe about 40 minutes work. The B service was over $500 and heading pretty much for $600. Told them where they could shove it. I won't go back.

[GTENVY]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Define knowledge

I know guys with no formal training that can out spanner me any day of the week, and others who get their "knowlege" from reading KB's workshop in Street Machine and Ask Smithy in the weekend paper

Wasnt sure how to answer this but to be diplomatic.

I understand your point and I am no mechanic but, I have been 'playing' with cars since I was 17, had a few mates that have been mechanics, fitters etc and I learned alot from them. They have help me learn heaps over the years and been a big part of the knowledge I have today.

I've done engine swaps, auto to manual conversions, clutch replacements, water pump replacements, manifold swaps, spring and shock swaps on older cars (XB and XF). And if I dont know I ALWAYS ask but I'm not afraid to get in and have a go.

The fact remains. I have had the shocks replaced only four months ago and I have then been told they are shot. This is not about my mechanical knowledge and it doesnt have to be. I am not having a go at all mechanics, I think its pretty strange that a pair of shocks are buggered after only four months and they were fine before hand. Anyway Pedders will have to sort it out and I'll post up the result.

[Gavin Thomas]

Myself being a qualified Mechanic i would also agree with a combination of two above made suggestions.

1= Get a pedders free suspension test from a different pedders outlet than the store that originally replaced the shocks. ( That way there will be no conflict of interest that they will say "no, they tested all ok" - just so they don't have to warrant them ). Realistically they should have no problem with a potential claim - but i'd still say to go to another "independant" store just to avoid that possibility. Then after that test it may be worth going back to the original store for their test outcome as well. As it is free, it will only be some lost time. Don't tell them you have been to another store - that way you can have 2 results to give you a confident outcome. ( hopefully they don't confilct each other ! lol ).

2= Depending on the outcome of above will tell you if that other workshop is incorrect. If so then ask for a written report / quote.

Even if they were to go that far into it, the only way you would have a "case" is if they then booked it in to do the job & then actually charged you for it but don't replace the shocks. Nothing short of that would have a hope of standing up. Not saying that is right, but that's just the way it works.

I would also agree that it would seem very unusual to try a "genuine shifty" when they would be able to clearly see that the shocks look new already.
If that was the case then it would make one of those good ACA stories with the hidden camera. Funny if you're not the customer involved - and if you are a genuine honest Mechanic like 99% of us trying to make a living. I want to see these guys shut down as much as the next guy - but as said above also, happens in all different trades or walks of life - always will be a few bad eggs.

Anyway - keep us posted with progression.

[Jack91]

Similar sort of thing happened trying to get my mercury roadworthied. Dont stress yourself, just go somewhere else, what do you expect to achieve jumping up and down? Simple fact is I'll go out of my way to avoid that workshop and their idiots in future and you should do the same.

[GreenR]

Will not go back to my local blue oval dealer after my first service with my Falcon. $700(payed) and a further ($450) they suggested for something else =totaling $1150. I later found out it could of only been a $400 service and the suggested $450 was about a $50 fix.
I bet they knew this but purposely tried to squeeze money out of me. Therefore deceiving

[yift]

sounds like you got your car serviced by k-mart tyre and auto (the "we will can your shockers even if they are brand new"specialists).

[chrisfpv]

Originally Posted by yift

sounds like you got your car serviced by k-mart tyre and auto (the "we will can your shockers even if they are brand new"specialists).

Ofcourse, because all KTA workshops are the same...

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by 8-WORKN

Ofcourse, because all KTA workshops are the same...

Actually yift and i BOTH worked for KTAS doesnt matter if its QLD or VIC... its easy to speak the truth after the fact !!

anyway back on topic ...........